PSC hikes national athletes’ allowances

With each passing day leading to the Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Sports Commission is adding more and more reasons for the country’s national athletes to be motivated.

Aside from the renovation of major sports facilities and a meticulous, daily nutrition plan, the PSC has increased the monthly allowances of Filipino national athletes.

Olympic silver medalist and weightlifting heroine Hidilyn Diaz stands to receive a monthly allowance of P45,000 based on the new scheme as well as world champions included in the “platinum” classification.

The upgrade is an increase by P5,000 from their previous allowances.

Silver and bronze medalists in the world championships and World Cup have been categorized as Class A athletes and will get a monthly paycheck of P40,000 along with Asian Games gold medalists, Olympians of preceding Games and chess Grandmasters.

Asian Games silver and bronze performers will earn a monthly take of P30,000. Joining them in the Class B category are Asian Cup and Asian Championships medalists and Southeast Asian Games gold medalists.

PSC chair Butch Ramirez is aiming no less than the overall title of the SEA Games that the Philippines will be hosting from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 in Clark, Subic, Metro Manila and Tagaytay.